Dallas Cowboys-Chicago Bears NFL Week 14 Thursday Game Preview

The NFL kicks off Week 14 on Thursday night when the Dallas Cowboys (8-4) visit the Chicago Bears (5-7) at Soldier Field.

Fortunately for Dallas, playing in hostile environments has been a plus, as the Cowboys are a perfect 5-0 on the road this season, the best mark in the NFL.  In wins away from home, quarterback Tony Romo has passed 1,164 yards with 12 touchdowns for a league-best 122.0 passer rating.

In his career as a starter on Thursday, Romo has led Dallas to a 7-2 record with a 103.1 passer rating. Week 14 will mark Romo’s first career road start on Thursday.

The Cowboys have relied on a strong running game all year, led by DeMarco Murray who tops the NFL with 1,427 rushing yards. Murray has rushed for at least 100 yards in 10 of the team’s 12 games this year.  In three career Thursday games, Murray has 343 scrimmage yards (114.3 per game) and four rushing touchdowns.

Dallas enters Week 14 following a 33-10 loss to Philadelphia.

“I think it’s just about this week, this Thursday against the Chicago Bears,” said Dallas quarterback Tony Romo on heading into the season’s final four games. “More than anything, it’s a time to start playing your best football and our football team needs to understand the sense of urgency is now. I think our guys understand what’s ahead of them if they can go on and play their best football.”

Meanwhile, Chicago aims to rebound from a 34-17 loss at Detroit on Thanksgiving Day.

Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery had nine receptions for 71 yards and two touchdowns against the Lions. Jeffery has seven touchdown catches this season, including four in the previous three games.

Hard to believe, but after a rough start and some apparent locker room discord, the Bears are still alive in the NFC playoff race and close the regular season with three of their final four games at home.

Running back Matt Forte is third in the NFL with 1,478 scrimmage yards, and is the only player in the league with at least 800 rushing yards (828) and 650 receiving yards (650).  In five games at home, Forte has 736 scrimmage yards (147.2 per game) and has scored four touchdowns (three rushing, one receiving).

“We’re going to come out and play ball,” said Bears defensive end Willie Young. “We’re going to stick to our game plan against Dallas. It should be a good game.”

Quarterback Jay Cutler aims for his third win as a starter against Dallas this week. In two career matchups, Cutler has passed for 552 yards with five touchdowns with a 138.2 passer rating.

“We’ve got a big game in primetime this Thursday night,” said Chicago wide receiver Brandon Marshall, who has 22 catches for 432 yards and three touchdowns in four career games against Dallas. “We’ve definitely got to put our best game forward against the Cowboys.”

WEEK 14 INJURY REPORT – DALLAS COWBOYS at CHICAGO BEARS

Dallas Cowboys
 
DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

Monday
S Jeff Heath (thumb), CB Tyler Patmon (knee, ankle), LB Dekoda Watson (hamstring)

Tuesday
S Jeff Heath (thumb), CB Tyler Patmon (knee, ankle), LB Dekoda Watson (hamstring)

 
LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Monday
DE Demarcus Lawrence (chest), DE George Selvie (thumb)

Tuesday
DE Demarcus Lawrence (chest), DE George Selvie (thumb)

 
FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Monday
DE Tyrone Crawford (knee), T Doug Free (foot), DT Nick Hayden (shoulder), LB Rolando McClain (knee), DT Josh Price-Brent (groin), QB Tony Romo (back), T Tyron Smith (illness), WR Terrance Williams (finger)

Tuesday
DE Tyrone Crawford (knee), T Doug Free (foot), DT Nick Hayden (shoulder), LB Rolando McClain (knee), DT Josh Price-Brent (groin), QB Tony Romo (back), T Tyron Smith (illness), WR Terrance Williams (finger)


Chicago Bears 
 
DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

Monday
S Chris Conte (eye), DE Cornelius Washington (chest), WR Chris Williams (hamstring)

Tuesday
K Robbie Gould (right quadricep), WR Alshon Jeffery (hamstring), DE Cornelius Washington (chest), WR Chris Williams (hamstring)

 
LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Monday
TE Martellus Bennett (foot), WR Alshon Jeffery (hamstring), CB Tim Jennings (groin), DT Jay Ratliff (knee), DE Trevor Scott (knee), LB Darryl Sharpton (hamstring)

Tuesday
S Chris Conte (eye), DT Jay Ratliff (knee), LB Darryl Sharpton (hamstring)

 
FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Monday
G Kyle Long (calf)

Tuesday
TE Martellus Bennett (foot), CB Tim Jennings (groin), G Kyle Long (calf), DE Trevor Scott (knee)


By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services